The Last River Raft. . The lumber industry was a lucrative business in northern Pennsylvania during the 19th century. Trees were felled and dressed in the northern mountains, dragged to the river, lashed into rafts, floated downstream in the spring, disassembled, and taken to sawmills to be turned into finished lumber. Due to changing modes of transportation, log rafts became a thing of the past. To commemorate the end of this daring way of life, a final log raft was launched on March 14, 1938. Amid great fanfare, a final 112-foot long timber raft left Clearfound County and began its 200 mile journey to Harrisburg. Below Williamsport tragedy struck on March 20 when the raft collided with a railroad bridge pier near Muncy. To the horror of onlookers 38 people were swept into the icy river. Most were saved, but seven died. The raft limped toward its final destination , Fort Hunter , where it was welcomed and the logs were sold to a timber buyer.
The lumber industry was a lucrative business in northern Pennsylvania during the 19th century. Trees were felled and dressed in the northern mountains, dragged to the river, lashed into rafts, floated downstream in the spring, disassembled, and taken to sawmills to be turned into finished lumber. Due to changing modes of transportation, log rafts became a thing of the past. To commemorate the end of this daring way of life, a final log raft was launched on March 14, 1938. Amid great fanfare, a final 112-foot long timber raft left Clearfound County and began its 200 mile journey to Harrisburg. Below Williamsport tragedy struck on March 20 when the raft collided with a railroad bridge pier near Muncy. To the horror of onlookers 38 people were swept into the icy river. Most were saved, but seven died. The raft limped toward its final destination Fort Hunter where it was welcomed and the logs were sold to a timber buyer.
Erected by Dauphin County Parks & Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1938.
Location. 40° 20.616′ N, 76° 54.64′
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W. Marker is near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Middle Paxton Township. It is on North Front Street 0.1 miles south of Fishing Creek Valley Road (Pennsylvania Route 443), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5415 River Rd, Harrisburg PA 17110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and in the Susquehanna Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
This nearby signage for the Susquehanna River Water Trail does not interpret history, but does share points of interest along the river.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
